23. CHAPTER XXIII. AN ACCIDENT

At Mrs. Snow's request, Pollyanna went one day to Dr. Chilton's
office to get the name of a medicine which Mrs. Snow had
forgotten. As it chanced, Pollyanna had never before seen the
inside of Dr. Chilton's office.

"I've never been to your home before! This IS your home, isn't
it?" she said, looking interestedly about her.

The doctor smiled a little sadly.

"Yes--such as 'tis," he answered, as he wrote something on the
pad of paper in his hand; "but it's a pretty poor apology for a
home, Pollyanna. They're just rooms, that's all--not a home."

Pollyanna nodded her head wisely. Her eyes glowed with
sympathetic understanding.

"I know. It takes a woman's hand and heart, or a child's presence
to make a home," she said.

"So Mr. Pendleton says it takes a woman's hand and heart to make
a home, does he?" he asked evasively.

"Yes. He says his is just a house, too. Why don't you, Dr.
Chilton?"

"Why don't I--what?" The doctor had turned back to his desk.

"Get a woman's hand and heart. Oh--and I forgot." Pollyanna's
face showed suddenly a painful color. "I suppose I ought to tell
you. It wasn't Aunt Polly that Mr. Pendleton loved long ago; and
so we--we aren't going there to live. You see, I told you it
was--but I made a mistake. I hope YOU didn't tell any one," she
finished anxiously.